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Customs duty

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Term Definition
Customs duty

Mandatory payment levied by customs authorities in connection with the movement of goods across the customs border (customs borders may differ from state borders if states are members of economic or customs unions). Payment of customs duties is an essential condition for the import or export of goods and is ensured by state enforcement measures.

History of Customs duties. In the Middle Ages, tolls were fees levied by cities, states and feudal lords for the use of roads and bridges, policing, conducting lawsuits and performing other functions. There were fees for entry and movement through the territory (city, principality), as well as fees from merchants, who were the main part of travelers at that time.

The emergence of state duties, as state fees, was associated with the emergence of a state with their sovereignty and state borders. Since the duties began to be collected in favor of the state, they began to perform an important function of replenishing the state treasury and directly interfering in the economy, performing the function of state regulation of the economy.